Research Associate (Indigenous and Northern Communities) (Remote)

The Conference Board of Canada is the nation’s largest independent applied research organization offering unbiased, evidence-based information and analysis to both industry and federal/provincial governments. We have one of the country’s largest private economic analysis and forecasting teams and are widely recognized for expert economic forecasting, modeling, and leading analysis. Simply put, we deliver insights that help leaders cut through the noise and make informed decisions.  

We are seeking a Research Associate to join our Indigenous and Northern Communities research team. The successful candidate will be a skilled researcher with a foundational, multidisciplinary understanding of the key challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous people and Northern Canada. The successful candidate will also have an ability to work with complex surveys and datasets and possess an academic and/or professional background in applied social statistics.

The successful candidate will be part of a professional research team and will undertake robust, objective, non-partisan applied research for public, Indigenous, non-profit and private sector decisionmakers. Our team has a compelling research agenda that addresses several interrelated themes, including Indigenous self-determination; Northern and remote socioeconomic development; labour market development; institutional capacity development; corporate-Indigenous relations; and Indigenous finance and management. This position will contribute to delivering on this agenda and communicating our work to relevant decision-makers.

Our ideal candidate has… the ability to contribute to research projects and respond quickly to multiple priorities and deadlines. They will draw on a well-developed understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and possess strong writing skills to produce high-impact, evidence-based products that inform decision-makers and provide actionable insights. They have an analytical mind, are adept and creative in addressing complex research problems, are self-motivated, practical and enjoy a multidisciplinary setting. They have a proven track record in leading or contributing to projects. And they are comfortable collaborating with others, communicating complex ideas, and leading and/or participating in discussions on research and other relevant priorities.

We are a virtual organization and as a remote worker you must be comfortable and able to work 100 per cent of the time from a home office. To be successful as a remote worker you need to have a self-starter attitude, possess strong organizational and time management skills, and be a proactive communicator. Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working/business hours is a requirement of this role.

About the Role

On a typical day, you will:

• Lead and/or contribute to research projects of varying complexity.
• Apply knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and a foundational understanding of the issues confronting Indigenous and northern communities.
• Quantitative skills and the ability to work with complex survey data and Statistics Canada datasets, are a focus for this role. This may include multivariate analysis, simulation, descriptive analysis, preparing and cleaning datasets for analysis, and providing notes on data limitations, etc.
• Analyze and effectively translate complex research results into clear, key messages for senior executives and decision makers.
• Collaborate with and support other researchers within the Indigenous and Northern Communities knowledge area
• Anticipate audience needs and contribute to new research product developments.
• Facilitate advisory groups for research projects.
• Communicate effectively with partners, team members, colleagues, research advisors and external stakeholders.
• Participate in internal and external meetings (some overnight travel is required).
• Demonstrate a commitment to producing high quality work and demonstrating professional values in all aspects of work and interactions with stakeholders, colleagues and customers.
• Work closely with the Principal Research Associate, along with other Conference Board staff, including senior and junior researchers, leaders, as well as external partners, to plan and execute research projects.

About You

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years’ experience in a professional applied research context, or equivalent setting, with demonstrable use of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in statistics, data science, Indigenous studies, business, economic development, or a relevant social science discipline, along with demonstrated knowledge of northern and Indigenous issues.
• Applied knowledge of complex survey design and multivariate analysis are a strong asset.
• Foundational project management skills.
• Ability to undertake primary data collection activities, including initial outreach to participants.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to write clearly, concisely, and quickly.
• Experience working with a range of Indigenous stakeholders and familiarity with relevant ethical research protocols (such as OCAP).
• Ability to effectively communicate key insights to various stakeholders and client groups.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications and statistical software (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS) required. Proficiency with project management methods an asset.
• Ability to set priorities, work under pressure, deliver high-quality products and meet deadlines.
• A strong sense of teamwork, professionalism, and customer focus.
• Ability to travel in Canada is a requirement (when it is safe to do so).
• Bilingualism or familiarity with an Indigenous language is an asset. 

Benefits: 

At CBoC, we believe that putting People First is key to our success and attracting the best people. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive and we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:  

• Virtual First – work from home anywhere across Canada with a budget to set up your home office
• A workplace where your hard work is not just valued, but actively celebrated. We take pride in our commitment to recognizing and rewarding the exceptional talent that drives our success through our Recognition programs.   
• Healthcare benefits from Day One to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including a $2,500 benefit for Psychologist, Social Worker or Psychotherapist services 
• Work/Life Balance: In addition to 20 days annual vacation, we close between Christmas Day and New Years Day, observe 13 holidays per year, and offer Friday afternoon closures 
• A modern, defined benefit (DB) pension plan: We care about your future and offer a pension plan with a 5% match from Day One   
• Employee Family Assistance Program (AFAP): We understand that life can be unpredictable and challenging, and EFAP supports you and your family during difficult times 
• Maternity/Paternity leave top-up plan 

At the Conference Board of Canada, we are more than an organization – we are a collective of thinkers, analysts, and problem solvers. As the country’s largest private sector forecasting group, we are renowned for our economic modeling and analytical prowess, we offer insights that shape futures. As part of our remote workforce, you will play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of Canada’s economic landscape. Your expertise can lead the way in understanding and anticipating the nation’s economic trends. If you’re ready to make an impact where insights meet innovation, we want to hear from you.   

The salary for this position ranges from $67,320 to $91,080 CAD annually for candidates from any Canadian province or territory. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, specific skillsets, as well as market and business considerations. The recruiter can share more information about the salary range for the position during the hiring process. This job posting is for an existing vacancy within CBoC. We are actively seeking to fill this role with a qualified candidate.

We value the unique skills, experiences, and insights that each employee brings to The Conference Board of Canada.  We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. If you require an accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please email cbocjobs@conferenceboard.ca and we will work with you to meet your needs.  

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in The Conference Board of Canada. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.